THE Anglian Business Awards 2008 are open for entries. Sponsors of the 2008 Anglian Business Awards gathered at The Last Anchor waterside restaurant in Ipswich for the official launch of awards, which are this year celebrating their 10th anniversary.

THE Anglian Business Awards 2008 are open for entries.

Sponsors of the 2008 Anglian Business Awards gathered at The Last Anchor waterside restaurant in Ipswich for the official launch of awards, which are this year celebrating their 10th anniversary.

Organised by the East Anglian Daily Times, the awards are open to organisations of all sizes and types within the EADT's circulation area and again involve a total of 14 categories this year. Organisations are free to enter as many categories as they wish, provided they meet the entry criteria.

New for 2008 is a Not-for-Profit category that aims to recognise the important contribution of voluntary, public sector and other not-for-profit organisations to the local economy.

As in previous years, judges will select three finalists for each category and the winners will be announced at a gala dinner to held at Trinity Park Conference Centre on Thursday, November 20.

One of the category winners will be chosen to receive the Business of the Year award which reflects outstanding achievement in its business field. In past years, this prestigious accolade has gone to some of the region's most successful companies, including Southwold brewer Adnams, Gressingham Foods from Debach, Fix-a-Form in Bury St Edmunds and, in 2007, Ipswich call handling company Call Connection.

“The Anglian Business Awards are now well established as one of the key events in the annual business calendar,” said Duncan Brodie, the EADT's business editor.

“The EADT is delighted to welcome a number of new sponsors on board this year, and also pleased that so many of those who have supported the awards in previous years are returning as sponsors once more this time around.

“In particular, we are grateful to chartered accountants Baker Tilly who have stepped up to became overall sponsors of the awards this year.

“Despite the challenging economic environment facing businesses, we look forward to receiver another strong set of entries this year and to joining with the sponsors to judge the awards in the autumn.”

Stephen Duffety, office managing partner at Baker Tilly East Anglia, said the firm was “honoured” to act as principal sponsor for the 2008 awards.

“As a leading mid-tier firm of accountants and business advisers, Baker Tilly works with a wide range of clients from private individuals to young entrepreneurial businesses and established listed and international organisations - operating across many sectors,” he said.

“Our particular expertise is in helping owner managed, entrepreneurial and growing businesses to achieve their ambitions so we are looking forward to being involved in recognising and rewarding those organisations who work to make Suffolk the thriving county that it is.

“We look forward to meeting with the nominees across the various individual categories in order to select the winner of the Business of the Year in recognition of their outstanding achievement in the business in Suffolk.”

Entering the Anglian Business Awards is easy - simply submit an entry form with a brief description and history of your business together with an application explaining why your business should be considered for the award, in line with specific criteria for each.

Over the coming weeks, BusinessEast will behighlighting the entry criteria for all 14 award categories but for an entry pack containing full details, or for more information, contact Jo Reeder on 01473 324882 or email anglianbusinessawards@eadt.co.uk. Entries can also be submitted online at www.eadt.co.uk/aba.

The deadline for entries is Friday, September 26. The full line-up of awards and sponsors is:

Business of the Year, Baker Tilly

Start-Up Business of the Year, Gotelee & Goldsmith

Innovation and Technology, University Campus Suffolk

Outstanding Customer Service, National Express East Anglia

Young Business Person, Picasso

Training and Development, Learning and Skills Council Suffolk

Small Business of the Year, Suffolk Chamber of Commerce

International Trade, Haven Gateway Partnership

Rural Business, Suffolk Agricultural Association

Marketing, Suffolk Development Agency

Not-for-Profit Business of the Year, Call Connection

Entrepreneur of the Year, Ipswich Audi

Environment, EDF Energy Networks

Medium-Large Business of the Year, Alliance Corporate Risk Management

Community Involvement, Adnams